1. The problem with pay to post is quite clear. A sugar daddy/mammy makes a significant contribution, posts a hateful lib screed, gets banned and revokes donation.
2. Politics = passion, like it or not. How many purges have occurred since I started reading here in 2000? I wasn't a fan of George W Bush then. Had an anointed aura about him and thought Ambassador Keyes was a better choice.
3. Many people don't feel welcome him based upon the actions of several cliques of FReepers. Self-appointed guardians of what is and isn't conservative, incorrectly.
4. Bloggers are a point of contention. The ill-conceived war on bloggers, poorly planned and more poorly executed is absolutely ridiculous. Bloggers are a potential source of revenue. If you wish to "pimp" your blog, pay the piper, if not, no more excerpts. If they wish to take advantage and harvest readership, make them pay.
5. When I grew up, it wasn't polite to ask somebody how much they got paid. Asking for a breakdown of costs lacks class and nobody's business.
Jim has repeatedly stated on this forum that he gets no pay from FR. So I'm not sure which costs would be nobody's business. All we are asking for is the estimated cost of the fixes required for the system to be mended or improved. Is there a problem with that?
No Refunds
That is a good point and I'm reconsidering what I said upthread.
The problem is not with Jim or the mods, but with the cliques that define "conservative values" as the litmus test that applies to them and their three friends, and then try to goad other posters into saying something that will get the latter zotted.
it wasn't polite to ask somebody how much they got paid. Asking for a breakdown of costs lacks class
On the contrary, I contribute to several charities, and I don't feel at all rude in limiting that list to those who provide access to their financial statements.
>>5. When I grew up, it wasn’t polite to ask somebody how much they got paid. Asking for a breakdown of costs lacks class and nobody’s business.
In the American system, financial transparency has been a hallmark of non-profits that seek donations from the public for their operating revenue. While FR is not exactly a non-profit charity, there are considerable similarities, and this explains why many expect similar transparency.